Teething device



p 3 P. E. ALLEN 2,115,405

TEE-THING DEVICE Filed 061;. 29. 1956 Patented Apr. 26, 1938 I uurreo STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,115,465 TEETHING DEVICE Paul E. Allen, Niles Center, 111. I Application October 29, 1936, Serial No. 108,175

-2 Claims. (oi. 128359)- and due to their knife-like-edges, they readily cut or break through the gums. However, in

the cutting or eruption of the posterior teeth or molars, since these are Y formed with a broad erupting surface having spaced cusps, they most generally cause considerable pain and soreness in the gums and require stimulation and aid in their eruption.

The present invention has for an object to aid in the stimulation of the gums and in the eruption of the posterior teeth. The novel device is so constructed, arranged and designed as to properly reach these areas through which the posterior teeth erupt, although the anterior teeth are in position. By the design of the present invention, the child may bite on the teething member with its anterior teeth and still get sufficient. pressure in the molar area or rear portion of the dental arches for aiding in the eruption of the teeth in these areas.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel teething device having three equally spaced projections so designed and arranged that one maybe grasped. by the infant in its fist or closed hand, thus leaving available two projections, either one of which may be inserted into the mouth and the other provide a stop or abutment preventing the insertion of the first mentioned projection into the mouth beyond a predetermined depth not suiiicient to cause gagging or any inconvenience to the infant. It will be readily appreciated that by reason of the predetermined and correct spacing of the projections, only one may be inserted in the 'mouth at a time.

Another distinct advantage of the present invention is that when thedevice is inserted in the mouth of the infant, there is nothing that interferes with the tongue or which would be of a the form of ridges, corrugations or protuberance-s which will cause a more eifective massaging of the gums. These raised portions or protubere ances may be of any shape or design effective for the purpose, although it is to be understood that the device may be made smooth, if desired.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, emciency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed 10 thereby. V

The invention further resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and while I have shown therein a preferred e'mbodiment, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehends other details, arrangements of parts, features and constructions without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing:---

Fig. 1 is a view from underneathof the upper dental web with the-teething device held in position by the hand of an infant.

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the teething device being inserted in the mouth, while Figure. 3' shows the position the device assumes afterit has been inserted and theinfant closes its teeth thereon.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the novel device.

Fig. 5 is a view in vertical cross section taken in a plane representedby the lineS-S of Fig. 4.

Referring more-particularly to the disclosure I in the drawing, the novel teething device I is provided with three equally spaced projections 2 of similar contour. Each of these projections is preferably formed with raised ribs or corrugations, 3, although it is to be understood that these projections may be made plain or provided with any suitable embossments or protuberances as 40 desired. The projections 2 are connected by a central portion 4 of substantially less thickness than the outer ends and in their preferred form these'projections preferably increase in thickness and width from the central portion 4 to substan-- tially the point 5 which is adjacent the outer ends. The shape of these projections is such that a vertical cross sectional viewtherethrough would be substantially elliptical, the purpose of which is to provide a maximum contact area for engage- '50 V ment with the gums. while the shape of the entire device lends itself to the contour of the dental arches and permits the central portion 4 thereof to be placed or located intermediate the anterior teeth which have already erupted. The L I ends- .being of substantially greater thickness 4 than the central portion, will apply the desired pressure to the molar orposterior area ofthe gums. The device is preferably formed of rubber or other suitable flexible material which mayibe ,readily sterilized, andif desiredritrna'ywbe stiffin closed position with this'projection in engagement with and applying pressure to the molar areas 6 and 9 of these dental archea, At this time the central portion 4 of the deviceispositioned intermediate 'the anterior teeth in the upper'and lower arches. Due to the scientifically designed contour of the device, the infants biting upon the central portion, does not prevent the projection inserted in the mouth from applying the necessary pressure to the molar areas for adequately massaging, the gums. f

If desiredran .opening I I may be provided for the insertion of a cord, ribbon :or the like by which it may be hung upor'suspended.

From theabove descriptionand the disclosure ing the drawing, it will be readily apparent that the novel design and construction of the teething device with its three equally spaced'projections,

1 permits but one projection'being inserted into the mouth of theinfant, and when so inserted.

the hand of the infant grasps'one 'of the two remaining projections while the other forms a stop or abutment preventing the device from a projection 2 1s shown 7 being inserted into themouthj andin contact with the molar area I. of the lower dental arch 1 III, while Fig. 3 shows the dental arches I and il being inserted to a'distance or depth suiiicient ,to cause gag or choking. When in this position, no part 'of this device can interfere with the tongue or reachthe soft palate. The'particular shape of the projectionswith their gradually increasing thickness permits the applies tion of sufiicient pressure to the molar areas while the front or anterior teeth are in position. Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

I 1. A teething device for infants composed of resilient material and comprising a relatively thin A central portion, and equally spaced integral pro- (jections extending therefrom, the projections being of sufficient length to reach the back portion of the molar area and being of relatively" small width and thickness near the central portion but increasing in width and thicknessitoward their outer ends, the length being substantially greater than the width whereby when one projection is inserted into the mouth of an infant the anterior teeth may engage the central portion and the projection may be freely moved so as to engage the molar area of the gumson either side of the mouth to massage the gums without substantially contacting the tongue and causing gagging or choking.

- 2. A teething device for infants composed of resilient material and. having a central portion and projections extending therefrom, the central .portion being substantially thin near the projections for engagement by the anterior teeth of the infant, the projections being of relatively small width and thickness near the'central portion but increasing in width and thickness toward their outer ends so as to engage the molar area of the gums, and of suflicient length to reach the rear of the molar area of the gums when the anterior teeth are engaging the central portion, the pro- 1 j'ections having protuberances for applying pres- 1 sure to-and massaging the gums of the molar 4,

the infant.

area upon biting action f Y PAUL E. ALLEN. 

